Composite Window Frame Facing for Stop Seal Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing composite frames with metal parts cause excessive compression and potential damage to stop seals due to sharp edges, requiring modifications to the coextrusion process for different stop seals.
Innovation Solution
A composite frame design featuring a sash frame facing that covers the stop seal area, with a thinner wall thickness tapering towards the stop line, allowing the stop seal to first contact the sash frame directly, reducing stress and preventing damage, and enabling use with or without a sash frame facing without altering the rebate seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If metal facings or frames are attached to plastic profiles to improve aesthetic appearance, then the visual appearance is improved, but the sharp edges of metal parts cause excessive compression and potential damage to stop seals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a facing shell with a specifically designed geometry that acts as an intermediary between the metal frame and the stop seal. The facing shell covers the sharp edges of the metal frame while maintaining the aesthetic appearance, thereby protecting the stop seal from damage caused by sharp metal edges.
Solution Approach 2:
The facing shell is designed with different wall thicknesses in different areas: thicker walls in regions away from the stop seal to maintain structural integrity and aesthetic appearance, and thinner walls near the stop seal area to reduce compression and prevent damage. This local variation in quality resolves the contradiction between appearance and seal protection.
2Productivity
If the geometry of plastic parts remains unchanged to maintain production efficiency, then productivity is maintained, but the stop seal is compressed significantly more by attached metal profiles requiring modifications to the coextrusion process
Solution Approach 1:
The frame system is segmented into distinct components: the base plastic frame profile and the attached facing shell. This segmentation allows the plastic frame to be produced efficiently using existing extrusion processes while the facing shell is separately designed and attached to provide the necessary protection and aesthetic appearance without requiring changes to the base plastic geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The facing shell is designed in advance with the correct geometry and wall thickness distribution to preemptively protect the stop seal from excessive compression. By incorporating the protection function into the facing shell design before assembly, the system maintains production efficiency while ensuring reliable seal performance.
3Ease of manufacture
If facing shells are individually placed on frame legs without connection in corner areas to simplify assembly, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the gap between facing shells and frame requires additional sealing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is extracted from the corner connection area and transferred to the facing shell design itself. By incorporating sealing elements or designed geometries into the facing shells that interface with the stop seal, the system eliminates the need for complex corner sealing structures while maintaining the simplicity of individual assembly.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design ensures the stop seal is protected from sharp edges, maintains efficient production without modifying the rebate seal, and provides a harmonious visual appearance while accommodating various frame configurations.
Implementation Method 1
the seal initially has a protruding lip, which first comes into contact with the sash frame and reacts softly. When a defined distance is exceeded, a support cam in a hollow chamber provides greater resistance, so that the spring rate of the stop seal increases significantly upon reaching the support cam
Implementation Method 2
The sash frame facing shell has a thinner wall thickness in the area covered by the stop seal than in the area of the sash frame overlap and tapers towards the stop line
Data Source
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AI summary
A composite frame (1) consists of a frame (2) and a sash (3) of a window and/or door. A stop seal (4) is attached to the frame for sealing against the sash (3). The sash (3) has at least a sash rebate area (5), an overlap (6), a glazing gasket (7) attached to the overlap (6) for sealing glazing positioned in the sash rebate area (5), and an outer surface (9) running parallel to the glazing plane against which the stop seal (4) abuts. A sash cover plate (8) or a sash cover frame is arranged on the side of the overlap (6) on the sash (3) facing away from the sash rebate area (5), the sash cover plate (8) or the sash cover frame covering the overlap (6) and the outer surface (9) up to above a stop line (15) of the stop seal (4) on the sash (3).